Magazine by Our Portfolio

WINTER 2014

THE FLU VACCINE

Something to Sneeze At? Did Someone Say

DOUGHNUT WAFFLES?

NEW!

Premiere Issue

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BEST DIY EVER THEN & NOW

The History of Mission

LET IT SNOW!

Grab Winter by the Toque and Make Some Memories

December 2014

Contents CONVERSATIONS 6 The Flu Vaccination Separating fact from fiction

LIVING 10 FOOD & GATHERINGS

Let It Snow! Grab winter by the toque and make some memories

16 Meet Meaghan Mikkelson A T8N interview 20 TRULY DEEPLY MADLY May We Suggest… 5 Ways to Make Your Hot Chocolate Happier

CITY 26 MEET YOU THERE

Get Your Wild On with St. Albert’s Untamed Feast The business of wild mushrooms

TRENDING 28 Dip It Good

When a fun trend comes along, you must dip it!

30 Fitness Alfresco 32 Upcycling (v.)

On Our Bookshelves At the Box Office I’ll Drink to That

ARTS & CULTURE 22 THEN & NOW Mission Then & Now 24 THE 8S Handmade Holiday Gift ideas for a made-inCanada Christmas

ABOUT THE COVER Special thanks to Akinsdale/Kinex Arenas for making snow for us and to everyone who came out and played in it. IMAGE BY BRENDA LAKEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY 2

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From the Publisher Welcome to T8N magazine. We’ve been waiting for you! My name is Rob Lightfoot, and I’m the publisher and president of T8N Publ ishing Inc. Having lived in St. Albert all but six years of my life, I feel like our T8N postal code is a part of my identity. It says home to me. And a home is exactly what I hope this magazine will be. A home for ideas, a home for conversations, a place to invite people in—a place for you. Asking questions, examining pop-culture and contributing to the community are things I’ve always done. It runs in the family. As a kid, I remember ROB LIGHTFOOT my parents volunteering in community organizations and sitting on boards PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT and how my sister (now our copy editor) actively challenged the status quo on social issues. There was also the time I (much less gallantly) thought it’d be funny to send the Superintendent of the Protestant School Board a letter suggesting they name the next school after me, as I was available to do press. Since then, my career has included memorable jobs, such as starving as a young sales rep for the U of A’s radio station, working for the record company (yes, record company) that released Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise, planning tours as a booking agent for over 80 US touring acts (many of whom slept on my couch) and, eventually, becoming the sales manager and, subsequently, publisher for Vue Weekly and PostVue Publishing. Most recently, and significantly, I left my job of nearly 16 years to take on the challenge of delivering you the publication you hold in your hands. T8N magazine is the result of countless hours of hard work by our creative team. I wish to thank each of them, Carmen Hrynchuk, Brenda Lakeman and Bruce Keith for their tireless energy, amazing ideas and enthusiasm from day one. We are so proud of the results. On behalf of us all, I sincerely hope you will enjoy what we’ve made and that it will feel like...home. Welcome to T8N magazine! Rob Lightfoot

T8N MAGAZINE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 December 2014 PUBLISHER

Rob Lightfoot EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Carmen D. Hrynchuk ART DIRECTION

Carmen D. Hrynchuk, Brenda Lakeman DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Bruce Timothy Keith PHOTOGRAPHY

Brenda Lakeman PROOFREADING / COPYEDITING

Amy Lightfoot CONTRIBUTORS

Tiffany Regaudie, Dawn Valentine Image page 7 © JZhuk / Dollar Photo Club Image page 19 © Dmitry Grushin / Dollar Photo Club For editorial inquiries or information, contact T8N magazine at info@t8nmagazine.com. Have something to say? Letters, suggestions or ideas can be sent to letters@t8nmagazine.com.

Meet the Team CARMEN D. HRYNCHUK WORDS & STYLE

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Carmen began her career in St. Albert, where her love of books and magazines turned into a love of publishing them. Nearly 10 years later, she continues to work in the publishing industry and clings to the hope that the snacks she’s eaten will turn into words she’s written and that art will never learn to direct itself.

Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com 780 940 6212 or visit t8nmagazine.com

BRENDA LAKEMAN STYLE & PICTURES

When Brenda isn’t chasing the light for the perfect shot, she’s chasing a personal best in the St. Albert Triathlon or Ten Mile Road Race. She’s excited to share her favourite things about living in St. Albert with you and looks forward to making new discoveries about our great city.

T8N PUBLISHING INC BRUCE TIMOTHY KEITH PICTURES & PAGES

After spending over 20 years working in St. Albert and raising his son there, Bruce is excited to once again be a part of celebrating this great city. He’s also excited to be helping create this great new magazine and hopes his vision for it can inspire others to look at St. Albert through a fresh set of eyes.

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PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT

Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com Box 74 St. Albert, Alberta T8N 1N2

Current Job Opening

Who We’re Looking For

Sales Enthusiast

T8N is seeking a Sales Enthusiast to join its team in promoting our vibrant, new St. Albert publication to advertisers. This position is ideal for a local St. Albertan who has as many as 40 hours or as few as 20 hours, per week, to commit to the task. Those willing to commit fully during those hours are most likely to succeed financially. We are looking for those people! If you want to be part of something great and be well compensated for your success, this position is for you.

Sound like you? Send your resume, cover letter and a pitch as to why St. Albert needs a glossy, beautifully styled, City Magazine to: Rob Lightfoot — rob@t8nmagazine.com

Say Hi! It’s just not a conversation without you, so stay connected.

Visit us online t8nmagazine.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/t8nmagazine Share with us on Instagram instagram.com/t8nmagazine Get sneak peeks of articles and photo shoots on Facebook facebook.com/t8nmagazine Stay Connected!

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THE FLU VACCINE VACCINATION FICTION

PARENTS INFORMED

SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION BY TIFFANY REGAUDIE

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HEALTH

MEDIA

FLU

RESEARCH

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CONTROVERSY

you were born into a world where approximately 50 million people suffered from smallpox. Thirty years later, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the global eradication of smallpox, the last natural case of the disease occurring in Somalia in 1977. The WHO’s global vaccination campaign had succeeded in making smallpox the first and only disease to be extinguished through vaccination.

Since this achievement, information on vaccination has spread at unprecedented rates. Social media, online forums and blogs have unlocked access to health information to people outside the medical community, and parents are better equipped than ever before to make informed decisions about their children’s health. With myriad sources to choose from, however, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction.

FACTS

INFO

If you were born in the early 1950s,

FAULT

CHILDREN COMMUNITY

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Information on vaccination has never been more abundant. Now parents are faced with separating fact from fiction.

VACCINES Weighing the risks Vaccines trick the immune system by introducing altered pathogens into the body, which spark the production of antibodies that stand guard against future invasions of the active virus. In Alberta, vaccines are free and accessible at public health clinics, doctors’ offices and some workplaces and pharmacies. Vaccines come in several forms. A live vaccine, such as the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, contains a virus that has been weakened so it does not cause illness. A dead vaccine, such as the polio vaccine, contains a virus that has been killed completely. A conjugate vaccine, such as the influenza vaccine, contains only portions of a pathogen that are chemically bound to a protein; the combination instigates a more powerful immune reaction. Side effects of vaccines most commonly include fever and redness or swelling to the injection site—these effects occur in no more than ten percent of vaccines. Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, occurs in one to ten cases per million doses of administered vaccine. The Canadian government monitors adverse reactions to vaccines through the Canadian Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance System (CAEFISS), which receives more than ninety percent of its reports from

provincial and territorial public health officials. CAEFISS data is regularly analyzed to generate more information about who is at risk for developing adverse reactions to vaccination. For most parents, putting their child at any risk can invoke anxiety and fear. When speaking with parents who are apprehensive about the side effects of vaccines, physicians will often present potential adverse reactions alongside the risks of not vaccinating. For instance, while the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine may cause a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit in five percent of cases, the actual virus leads to meningitis fifty to sixty-five percent of the time. Every year, influenza is responsible for a number of deaths in Canada. It’s important to note that family doctors are not infectious disease specialists by training, and more parents are looking outside their relationship with their family practitioner to educate themselves about vaccinations through independent research. Recent controversy about the suggested link between autism and the MMR vaccine has triggered fear among parents on social media, online forums and blogs. Much of this fear has migrated beyond the MMR vaccine to include fear of other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.

While organic—as opposed to institutional— online spaces are vital community touch points for questioning parents, these communities are also open channels for information that has not been tested against the scientific method. Considering the source has never been more important in parental decision-making.

THE MODERN VACCINE CONTROVERSY From research study to social media In 1998, The Lancet published a research study by British doctor Andrew Wakefield that supported the relationship between the MMR vaccine, intestinal inflammation and the development of autism. Wakefield’s article described twelve children with neurodevelopmental delay (eight with autism) who suffered from intestinal issues and developed autism within one month of receiving the MMR vaccine. The results were highly publicized in the media and in burgeoning online communities. The study, however, had several major flaws. At the time of the study, ninety percent of children in England had received the MMR vaccine, which is usually administered around the time when most children with autism begin to show signs of the condition. Wakefield’s study failed to show a causal relationship—when one variable causes a change in another variable—

T8N December 2014

between MMR and autism because the study did not control for autistic children who had not been vaccinated. In 2010, The Lancet retracted the paper after new information revealed that Wakefield had been paid by a law board to find evidence to support a link between vaccinations and autism for a litigation case. Wakefield has since been barred from practising medicine in Great Britain. While several studies have refuted the link between vaccinations and autism, Wake-

‘‘

COMPENSATION FOR VACCINE INJURY Quebec is the only province in Canada with a vaccine injury compensation program, established in 1988. Since its inception, the program has paid $3.6 million in compensation for 35 accepted cases. While instances of vaccine injury remain rare, a 2011 report published in the Munk School Briefings urged the federal government to adopt a national vaccine injury compensation strategy on the basis that vaccination in Cana-

Parents are better equipped than ever before to make informed decisions about their children’s health.

field’s study remains a catalyst for the modern anti-vaccination movement. The organization Generation Rescue (of Jenny McCarthy fame) and Facebook groups such as the “National Vaccine Information Center” are heavily supported by concerned parents reluctant to trust government websites and pharmaceutical companies. Many parent-driven anti-vaccination spaces are established with the well-meaning goal to expedite information to parents while creating a sense of community. Group moderators, who are often not health practitioners, generate content that has not been reviewed by medical professionals, while community members are permitted to freely comment and post their own sources. While such grassroots content models are good options for the gathering of like-minded people, those same models risk becoming echo chambers that breed collective fear among concerned parents. There’s no question that every form of medical intervention comes with some degree of risk, however small. If your child were to suffer injury from vaccination, compensation may be available—but only if you live in Quebec.

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da is strongly encouraged and even mandatory in some cases. The report suggests a no-fault model that would serve to remove the onerous judicial task of finding fault, which has caused the dismissal of such cases in the past. Canada is the only G8 country besides Russia that does not have a vaccine injury compensation plan. While other provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have considered a plan similar to Quebec’s, the program has not been considered in Alberta.

CONDUCTING SMART RESEARCH Smart research begins with credible sources. Credible health information is generated through exhaustive scientific research that begins with a hypothesis and is rigorously tested through experiments controlled for numerous variables. Organizations like the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Alberta Health Services rely on evidence-based research when shaping health policies, procedures and best practices. The best ways to conduct research are to insist on corroboration and authoritative evidence

from accredited bodies. Accredited bodies like journals, universities and medical professional organizations have the institutional horsepower to acquire, review and distribute up-to-date information that has passed peer-review processes. If you have questions or concerns about the annual flu vaccine, you may contact Alberta Health Services (AHS) to help navigate the maze of information available. AHS leverages the expertise of epidemiologists, infectious disease physicians and the World Health Organization (WHO) to deliver up-to-date information on annual vaccines. The WHO also sends recommendations to Canada’s Public Health Agency on those influenza strains that should be targeted in the annual flu vaccine. When you know you have conducted exhaustive research and reached out to your community for support, you can feel confident you’re making the most informed decisions about your own health and the health of your family. Have your say. t8n GET THE FACTS Trusted Sources World Health Organization www.who.int/topics/immunization/en Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/index-eng.php The College of Family Physicians Canada www.cfpc.ca Alberta Health Services www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/immunization.html The History of Vaccines: A Project of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia www.historyofvaccines.org

QUESTIONS ABOUT ELIGIBILITY & IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULES? For 24/7 Health Advice, contact Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465 For a St. Albert Immunization Clinic Schedule, visit the Alberta Health Services website. www.albertahealthservices.ca/influenza

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Food & Gatherings

LET IT

SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN

Grab winter by the toque and make some memories

We know. Winter in Alberta is a

long, long season. But, hey, it’s also all ours! If the thought of that makes you want to fall down and weep, put on a sweater. A cold’s only going to

make you feel worse. Kidding aside, our Alberta winters provide some of the most spectacular days of the year. Days when you can make the perfect snowball with your bare hands. Days

when the only reasonable thing for dinner is a fondue. Days just waiting to be turned into memories. Still not convinced? Well, that’s what all the pretty pictures are for. Take a look.

T8N December 2014

etween pulling sleighs and building forts, you probably won’t need much to chase the chill away. But with hot chocolate and doughnut waffles on the menu, any excuse will do.

Homemade Marshmallows 3 pkgs unflavoured gelatin 1 cup cold water 1½ cups granulated sugar 1 cup corn syrup 1 tsp salt 2 tsp vanilla extract

Add the gelatin and a ½ cup of the water to a large bowl. In a small pot, combine the remaining ½ cup of water with the sugar, corn syrup and salt, and place over medium heat. Cover and let cook 3 to 4 minutes. Then uncover the pot, and clip a candy thermometer to it. When the temperature reaches 240˚F (7 to 8 minutes), remove the pot from the heat. With your hand-mixer on low in the bowl with gelatin, slowly drizzle in the syrup mixture. Increase the speed to high, add vanilla and whip until light and fluffy (12 to 15 minutes). Spread into a foiled and greased 9-by-13-inch pan, and let set until firm (3 hours). Remove the foil-lined marshmallow from the pan, and sift the top with icing sugar. Cut the block into desired shapes, roll the shapes in more icing sugar and dig in!

Doughnut Waffles 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt ¾ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 tbsp walnut oil ¾ cup milk 2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat your waffle iron. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. In a second bowl, cream together the sugar, eggs and oil. Then add the milk and vanilla. When the wet ingredients are combined, add the dry ingredients, and mix well. Prepare your waffle iron according to its directions, and pour ¼ cups of batter into the moulds. Peek for doneness after 2 minutes. After they’re cooked and cooled, dip them in your favourite doughnut glaze.

T8Nmagazine.ca

he only thing better than a blue-skied winter’s day is a cuddle-up-by-the-fire winter’s night. And what better way to tuck in than with a cheesy, bubbly, dip-your-perfectly-baked-bread-in-it fondue. Just be sure to leave room for dessert—a round of Amaretto s’more shots for the table. And keep ’em coming.

T8N December 2014

Spinach & Artichoke Cheese Fondue 3 oz white wine or vegetable broth ¼ cup fresh, chopped spinach ½ cup drained and chopped marinated artichoke hearts 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 oz Butterkäse cheese, shredded 3 oz Fontina cheese, shredded 1 tbsp grated Parmesan 1 tbsp flour Tabasco, to taste

Combine Butterkäse and Fontina in a bowl, and toss with flour. Heat your vegetable broth or wine in a double boiler. When hot (not boiling), add the garlic, spinach, artichokes, and mix well. Bring the mixture back up to temp, and stir in the Butterkäse and Fontina a little bit at a time, waiting between each addition for the cheese to melt. Stir in the Parmesan and Tabasco to taste. Transfer to a heated fondue pot, and start dipping.

T8Nmagazine.ca

Sauvignon Blanc Wine Spritzer 3 parts wine 1 part club soda 1 dash of orange or lemon bitters

S’more Pudding Shots 2 cups whole milk ¾ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup cocoa powder 4 tsp cornstarch 3 egg yolks 2 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp salt 3 tbsp Amaretto Cream Liqueur (optional) Graham crackers Marshmallow fluff Chocolate squares

Spoon some crushed graham crackers into the bottom of your shot glasses. In a small pot over medium heat, bring 1½ cups of the milk, the sugar and cocoa to a simmer. Then remove from the heat. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup of milk with the cornstarch, salt, egg yolks, vanilla and liqueur. Next, gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture. Return the mixture to the pot, and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until the pudding comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and continue whisking for 2 to 3 minutes. Fill your glasses to the brim with pudding, and top with marshmallow fluff. Use a small kitchen torch to toast the marshmallow, then plunge a square of chocolate into each glass. t8n T8N December 2014

If awards were given out for chasing dreams and having

no regrets, St. Albert hometown girl Meaghan Mikkelson would win handily. If they were also given out for getting things done and not complaining (including letting her soup get cold while we interviewed her) then she, too, would take gold. Too good to be true? Well, decide for yourself. But if you ask us, Meaghan Mikkelson’s pretty damn amazing. Just maybe don’t ask her to sing…

MEET

MEAGHAN MIKKELSON A T8N interview

PHOTO BY EWAN NICHOLSON PHOTOGRAPHY 16

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“Never, never, never give up. No matter what.”

ON GROWING UP IN ST. ALBERT t8n: Tell me a bit about growing up in St. Albert. MM: Well, I’ve been living in St. Albert since I was eight, so it’s where I was raised—my childhood, my junior high, my high school, all my years of minor sport—everything. I had a great childhood there and tremendous support from the community, all the way right up to today. My parents are still there, so I come back and visit quite often. t8n: Which schools did you attend? MM: Lots of them (laughing). I went to elementary at Father Jan and junior high at ESSMY. Then for high school I was at Paul Kane for Grades 10 and 11. For the beginning of Grade 12, I actually moved to Calgary to play hockey but then ended up moving home towards the end of February. A bunch of my friends were at St. Albert High, so I ended up graduating from there. t8n: Which local clubs did you belong to? MM: Um, I was a part of the Sailfish Swim Club for a number of years. I played pretty much every sport you could imagine growing up: soccer, baseball, track and field, cross-country, volleyball, basketball. (Laughing) There were a few years in junior high that I played every sport at our school. So, I knew what I loved, and that’s pretty much what I spent all my time on. t8n: When you do get home for a visit, is there any place you always make time to stop?

MM: Yeah, definitely. I always go down to the Sturgeon River for walks or jogs. And something my parents and I always do is go to the Farmers’ Market. I was just down there last weekend. It was the last one of the season, so we made sure to go. The other place I always end up is at the Sturgeon Valley Athletic Club.

ON HOCKEY t8n: The training and commitment you put into hockey is obviously tremendous. What’s the hardest part of the job, and which part comes easiest? MM: Gosh, the hardest part (thinking about it). I think the hardest part is making sure you’re

continually getting better. I’ve won two Olympic gold medals now, so it’s always about figuring out what areas you can improve and what you need to do to keep your spot on the team. I often say it’s hard to get to the top, but it’s even harder to stay there. So, yeah, the hardest part is evaluating your game and figuring out what you need to improve. t8n: And the easiest part? MM: Going to the gym. I’ve always been someone who likes to be active, so the training component of it. I love to work out. I’m not gonna lie though—some days it’s a bit of a grind (laughing). I’m just like everyone else and have my days where I don’t feel like training. But for the most part, that motivation to be in the gym—that’s what comes easiest. t8n: Is there anything people assume you love doing but that you just don’t? For example, I’d have been surprised if you’d said “But I hate working out.” MM: (Laughter) Gosh. I don’t think there’s anything I dislike about it. That’s why I’m still playing. Obviously Olympic years are extremely tough when you’re training 10 to 11 hours a day and your schedule’s crazy. That year is extremely stressful both mentally and physically, so that’s probably the toughest part: trying out for an Olympic team and trying to make the Olympic team. It’s a long hard year, and often times it’s not very enjoyable. So I guess I’d say that lead-up to the Olympics is something people would think is all exciting and fun, but it’s actually very difficult to get through.

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t8n: When you train, do you listen to music? MM: I do, for sure! t8n: And what would I find on your iPod right now? MM: Oh, gosh. I actually probably wouldn’t even know the names of the songs (laughing at herself). It’s all techno dance music—just really upbeat, something that gets your blood flowing just by listening to it. Just dance stuff. t8n: Speaking of dance, what song would get you up dancing?

”It’s hard to get to the top, but it’s even harder to stay there.” anything, but we had more than 13 million viewers for that game. That’s five times the amount of people who would watch a Hockey Night In Canada game. That’s massive. So, I think the support is coming along, and it’s growing. It’s just taking time.

t8n: The physical and financial investment to stay in your sport is great, yet it’s not a lucrative career for women. What would you ask communities like St. Albert to do to build support for the game?

MM: And I think it is. If you look at our game in Sochi, most people would argue that our gold medal game was far more exciting than the men’s. And it’s not wanting to compare or

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MM: Oh, I accomplished so much more than I ever thought I could (laughing). With the Olympics, making that team was extremely difficult. In 2012, I was in a position where I was sitting on the bench at the World Championships, and I felt I might lose my spot on that team. I really had to work my way back up. I trained harder and worked harder than I had my entire career.

Then there was going on The Amazing Race Canada and pushing myself out of my comfort zone each and every day […] I proved a lot to myself and hopefully empowered others to recognize we’re capable of doing so much more than we think we can. And, you know, moving forward in my life, I recognize that—that I can do so much more than I ever think I can.

MM: Well I think they’re doing it right now. Doing this interview with you is a prime example of that. You know, I’ve gotten calls from the St. Albert Leader and the Gazette, and I feel they’re continuously trying to profile athletes in the community, and that’s huge in terms of exposure. I think Canada’s doing the same thing. You look at the Olympics and all the exposure the athletes got... that exposure’s really great. But making sure that we don’t get lost or forgotten about between Olympic years—those are the times when support is most important.

t8n: I would hope that support for women in sports is growing and that the whole mentality that it’s the boys’ team that’s the main show—I hope that’s changing.

t8n: You know, you’ll look back and say, 2014 was the year I accomplished dot, dot, dot.

Then going to Sochi, breaking my hand four days before the gold medal game, playing in the gold medal game with a broken hand, getting an assist on the first comeback goal and then us winning that game!

MM: What would get me up dancing? Oh, gosh! I’m sure pretty much almost anything would get me up dancing (laughing).

People wonder what happens to us between Olympic years—they don’t know where we play and what we do. And we actually have a professional league, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL). That’s where most of us play. And it’s great hockey. But we have 50 to 200 people in the stands; whereas, you sell out crowds of 18,000 at the Olympics. So, yeah, having that support not only when we’re wearing the Team Canada jersey, but also when we’re playing on our teams in the CWHL is very important.

MM: Held for me?

t8n: Just one more question before I ask you about The Amazing Race. Tell me about the charities you support.

t8n: Do you have any advice for young people in sports? MM: My biggest thing throughout my career has always been to train to a point where I know I won’t have any regrets looking back. So I’d say if you have a goal—whatever it is—do everything possible to get there. My other advice is just to enjoy it. I see a lot of kids starting to train extremely young, and they’re focusing on one sport. I think it’s important to try every sport. And today’s best professional athletes are just that: well-rounded athletes. They’re good runners, they can golf, they can do other things. So I’d definitely say go out and try new things, and enjoy doing it. Don’t always be too serious. t8n: When you look back on this year, what do you want to be able to say it held for you?

MM: I’m involved in Jumpstart. That’s my main charity, and I’m pretty passionate about it. I’ve been pretty lucky growing up in that I’ve always had the opportunity to be involved in sports. And I know that not everyone’s as fortunate. Sport has brought so much into my life, and I think it’s important for all kids to be exposed to that.

ON THE AMAZING RACE t8n: Were you nervous at all about how the editing process was going to work, seeing as reality shows are famous for building narratives full of drama? MM: I’m not gonna lie. I was really nervous! When we finished filming, I was like, how are they going to portray us! Are we gonna be these girly-girls, just kinda running around and making mistakes (cringing)? But we said going in that we were just going to be ourselves. And, thankfully, I think they did a pretty good job showing the people who we really are. Everything you saw, that’s pretty much the stuff Spooner and I do. So, yeah, hats off to them (laughing with relief). t8n: What did the experience of competing on the show teach you that hockey didn’t?

MM: You know, I’ve heard countless times, “Make sure you enjoy the journey.” And that it’s about the process, not the outcome. And I think I kinda always would say, “Yeah yeah, that’s great” (mocking herself), but it didn’t really resonate with me. It certainly did with the race. I mean, we didn’t win that thing, but the experience and the things we got to do along the way—that was the epitome of it not being all about the outcome. That really hit home for me in a way that it never did throughout my hockey career.

“I trained harder and worked harder than I had my entire career.”

t8n: Is there anything you won’t travel without? MM: Um, it sounds nerdy, but my vitamins (laughing at herself). Everywhere I go, even if it’s just for a day, that’s one of the first things I pack. t8n: You won free fuel for a year! When you’re fueling up for a road trip, is there any snack you’re guaranteed to come back to the car with? MM: Oh yeah. Probably gum, sunflower seeds and Fresca. t8n: It’s obvious you and Natalie Spooner are an amazing team. I assume people mistake you for one another all the time now and treat you like a celebrity couple. Have you thought about your Brangelina name (laughing) and what it would be?

t8n: And how about the best advice you were ever given? MM: That would be from my dad. It fell along the lines of “Work to the point where you know you’ll have no regrets.” And also from my mom. She’d always say, “Never, never, never give up. No matter what.” So I think those are the two things I’ve always carried with me.

t8n: Do you have a favourite moment from the show? MM: (laughing) Oh, so many! I think the whole Normandy leg. It was so humbling. Standing on that beach, talking to that veteran about his experience. Just being there as a Canadian… It was a very humbling and proud experience. That was the leg we also got to ride around on those carts on the beach—that was the most fun I had in the entire race (laughing). That leg was my favourite, by far.

MM: (Laughing) I guess there was a point when I had to choose between hockey and swimming. So I always say if I hadn’t been a hockey player, I’d have been a swimmer.

thing that’s come out of the race. And it’s far more rewarding than any monetary prize we could have won. t8n: Was there any other love of something that just didn’t take? Are you a closet singer or wannabe painter? MM: No, um (laughing) I’m kinda boring. I can’t sing, I can’t dance, I can’t act… t8n: (Interrupting) Oh my god, we could hang out together.

t8n: Speaking of your parents, your Mother’s and Father’s Day commercials were great. MM: Yeah, those were awesome because my parents actually helped write the scripts. So, those are things they actually do say to me. That’s kinda cool of them. t8n Looks like “kinda cool” runs in the family. A big thanks to Meaghan for making time to talk to us. For more from this interview, check out Truly Deeply Madly on page 21.

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MM: Oh, goodness! Yeah some of the girls were calling us Mikkelspoon. And then one of our other friends… (pausing to laugh) Um, I have a bit of an embarrassing nickname— Shmoosy. So, they were calling us Shmooner (laughing). Those would be the only two I’ve heard, so far.

ON BEING MEAGHAN t8n: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever had? MM: That I’m a role model for young girls. That is the best thing. And that has been the best

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Truly Deeply Madly

May We

SUGGEST… 5TO MAKE WAYS YOUR HOT

CHOCOLATE HAPPIER

inter nights were made

for sipping. And only one thing cozies up a cold night faster than a mug of hot chocolate: A boozy mug of hot chocolate. Here are our favourite additions for making your hot chocolate a little happier.

Clementine, Grand Marnier & Brown Sugar — The combination of orange and chocolate is iconic during the holidays. But why wait for a treat in your stocking when you could have orange and Grand Marnier hot chocolate now? All it takes is 1 oz of liqueur, some whipped cream topped with zest from a clementine and a velvety sprinkling of brown sugar. For an extra burst of orange flavour, rub zest on the rim of the cup.

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Cinnamon, Maple & Chili — Here’s a

Tequila & Mint — Here’s a soon-to-be

combination that’ll take the chill off quickly: ¼ tsp of ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of chili powder. The flavour infusion is instantly gratifying. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, and sweeten with a tiny drizzle of maple syrup. A perfect winter warmer.

favourite that’ll warm up your winter nights. Tequila and peppermint schnapps pair perfectly in hot chocolate. Start with a tequilato-schnapps ratio of 2:1, and adjust to your liking. Be sure to top this one with a gigantic dollop of whipped cream.

Salt & Butterscotch Schnapps — If salted

Talea Italian Amaretto Cream Liqueur

caramels are your weakness, meet your new infatuation: butterscotch schnapps hot chocolate. Simply add schnapps to taste, and top with whipped cream. For a flourish worthy of an Instagram, drizzle with a swirl of butterscotch syrup, and top with feathery flakes of kosher salt.

— You’re probably no stranger to this one, but it’s a classic for good reason. The combination of real Italian Amaretto with real cream is a perfect pairing, and what it does to chocolate is not to be underestimated (We even added some to our s’more pudding shots on page 15).

Lacombe Park Spirits Selection + Service = Satisfaction Blue Chair Bay Coconut Spiced Rum Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves meet coconut for a whole ‘nother way to spice. Take it straight and see what Kenny means when he says, “Sixth gear with nowhere to steer.” Or light up a Shooting Star and see where the night takes you. $29.99 or $25.72/bottle with case discount (12 btls)

e were lucky enough to interview Olym-

pic Gold Medalist Meaghan Mikkelson about some of her Truly Deeply Madlys, and here’s what she had to say!

ON OUR BOOKSHELVES t8n: What’s on your bookshelf? MM: Right now… um, Gone Girl, Women’s Health magazine and The Goldfinch. Reading’s kind of my getaway from real life. Generally, the more mindless the better.

2013 Dal Cero Pinot Grigio Ramato A year-round fun wine with a lot of depth carrying the memories of a great summer and the promises of a spring to come. Rich yet refreshing. The beautiful copper (“ramato”) colour of the wine is the result of the traditional winemaking technique in the Veneto, giving this Pinot Grigio a beautiful richness and complexity. $19.99 or $17.15/bottle with case discount (12 btls)

AT THE BOX OFFICE t8n: How about at the box office? Any movies you’ve loved in the last while or watch at home over and over again? MM: Gone Girl. I just saw it last week and loved it. But that’s partly because I loved the book. The Hunger Games movies—I read all those books, too. Oh, and I’m also hooked on two TV shows right now, Scandal and Suits.

I’LL DRINK TO THAT t8n: Our last Truly Deeply Madly is called I’ll Drink to That. Anything you’re loving right now? MM: Vanilla soy lattes from Starbucks. Those are my favourites. And I will admit this: I do love red wine (laughing). Not an athlete’s drink of choice, but… t8n

2012 Chateau Pas du Cerf Diane Rouge Bring home the flavours of Provence with this beautiful blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah. Plum and blackberry aromas, supported by firm and well integrated tannins, give way to hints of cloves and spice in the finish. Excellent choice to be enjoyed with any festive meal or just with some special friends. $22.99 or $19.72/bottle with case discount (12 btls)

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780-418-7275 T8N December 2014

Then & Now

MISSION THEN NOW The Grey Nuns establish a hospital ward within the convent.

bourhood, Mission has a storied past. Ask almost any local, and they’ll share a memory about it. Some will recall skating on the Sturgeon River. Others will remember when the gym at Father Jan School doubled as a movie theatre. Perhaps most common, though, will be stories that include a wipeout—of epic proportions—from sliding down Seven Hills in wintertime. Whatever your ties, to learn the history of Mission is to dig up some facinating facts. Here are a few you may be less familiar with.

Narcisse Beaudry opens a hotel in 1883, just west of the Mission.

1890s

BY DAWN VALENTINE, OF VINTAGE ST. ALBERT

1860s Father Lacombe leaves the Mission at Lac Ste. Anne in search of a more fertile land to sustain the colony. Father Lacombe and Bishop Taché arrive at the top of the hill above the Sturgeon River and propose a new Mission site. Father Lacombe Chapel is built in 1861 (It remains the oldest surviving building in Alberta). The first Métis families arrive from Lac Ste. Anne, establishing St. Albert as a new settlement. The first bridge across the Sturgeon River is erected in 1862 (and becomes the first permanent bridge west of the Great Lakes). The Grey Nuns arrive from Lac Ste. Anne with seven orphans in 1863, and the next year a convent housing an orphanage and school is built.

MUSÉE HÉRITAGE MUSEUM, ST. ALBERT HISTORICAL SOCIETY FONDS, ACCESSION #2003_01_838

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Being St. Albert’s oldest neigh-

1870s & 80s Smallpox takes half the population of St.Albert.

Telephone service to St. Albert is established in 1885. The Bishop’s Palace is constructed in 1887 (and still stands atop the hill today). Three bronze bells are donated to the Mission from France.

Did You Know? A paddlewheel boat, the St. Theresa, cruised the waters of the Sturgeon River to Big Lake in 1922. The water level soon dropped, and the boat was moved to Lac Ste. Anne.

St. Albert officially becomes a village. The Brosseau brothers build a general store in 1892 on the corner of Perron Street and Mission Avenue. The first fireworks display in Alberta takes place in 1899 atop the hill, celebrating Father Lacombe’s Golden Jubilee.

1900s St. Albert officially becomes a town in 1904. The first grain elevator is constructed, and a flour mill is built on the Sturgeon River just below Mill Drive. Father Mérer School is completed in 1909 on the northwest corner of the hill.

1920s St. Albert Roman Catholic Church is completed in 1922. St. Albert Trail is upgraded to highway status. Mission Park is created, and a poplar-lined Memorial Drive is constructed honouring the veterans of WWI.

Got Talent? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always looking for talented freelance writers, junior designers and illustrators. If that sounds like you, send your resume to rob@t8nmagazine.com and add a note telling us what makes you a perfect fit. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to hear from you.

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Stay Connected!

1940s & 50s The residential school at the Youville Convent burns down.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tis The

The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception is constructed in 1944 at the bottom of the hill (partly to save heating the big church in winter). The Little White Schoolhouse (the original Father Jan School) opens in 1948. The present Father Jan School on Mission Avenue is built and becomes St. Albertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first high school.

Jewelry

1960s & 70s Sometime after the demolition of Fater MĂŠrer School, the hill is molded into terraces, creating the renowned Seven Hills. St. Albert (Catholic) High School is erected in 1967. The main street is renamed in honour of Fleuri Perron, businessman and mayor. The Sturgeon General Hospital opens in 1969.

1980s & 90s

Fashion Baby Giftware Home Decor and so much more!

In 1984, the steel bridge at Perron Street is replaced by the current bridge. Foundersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Promenade is established, acknowledging St. Albertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early settlers. The Michif Cultural And Resource Institute is formed in the historic Juneau Residence, to foster awareness about the proud history and contribution of the MĂŠtis, First Nations and Inuit peoples of Canada.

2000 TO PRESENT The St. Albert Historical Society places a cairn on the site of Father MĂŠrer School. The expanded Foundersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Walk opens, with nine story panels along the route from the Clock Tower to the top of Mission Hill. t8n You can follow Vintage St. Albert on Facebook for more great photos and info.

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T8N December 2014

The 8s

#$%&'$&()#*+,&$-

anada has no shortage of amazing artists,

designers and crafters. And Etsy is a great place to find and support them. To make that easier, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put together a roundup of gift ideas, handmade by some of our favourite Canadian talent. So make your list, and check it twice. Then spoil someone with a made-in-Canada Christmas. Happy holidays. t8n

Gift ideas for a made-in-Canada Christmas

T8Nmagazine.ca

1 Hand-carved Porcelain Cup, by White Owl Ceramic Studio, $60.03 Etsy shop: Whiteowlporcelain 2 Silkscreened Geometric Scarf (woven & dyed in Montreal), by Noujica, $64 Etsy shop: noujica 3 Original Mixed-media Painting, by Maria Pace-Wynters, $163.86 Etsy shop: MariaPaceWynters 4 Hand-knit, Made-to-order Wool Cowl, by EmmyLou Knits, $65 Etsy shop: EmmyLouKnits

5 Gocco-screenprinted Elk Print (signed & numbered), by Nature’s My Friend, $20 Etsy shop: naturesmyfriend 6 Gocco-printed Moleskine Journal (signed & numbered), by Nature’s My Friend, $20 Etsy shop: naturesmyfriend 7 Silkscreened Bendable Bag (limited series), by Noujica, $175 Etsy shop: noujica 8 Handmade Leather Wallet, by Keri V Leatherworks, $65 Etsy shop: KeriVLeatherworks

T8N December 2014

Meet You There

GET YOUR WILD ON WITH

ST. ALBERT’S UNTAMED FEAST UNTAMED FEAST AT A GLANCE

Ask Michelle and Eric

Who they are: Michelle & Eric Whitehead

Where they are: St. Albert, AB What they do: Harvest, dry and sell gourmet wild food (primarily mushrooms) handpicked in forests throughout Canada Their mission: Manufacture gourmet wild food that customers can enjoy in their own kitchens

Find their recipe kits at: D’Arcys Meat Market, SandyView Farms, St. Albert Farmers’ Market, Untamed Feast’s website, Save on Foods, Whole Foods Marketplace, Sunterra Market

Interesting facts: They keep all their product in Canada. They appeared on Season 8 of Dragons’ Den and clinched a deal.

Whitehead how their lives have cha nged since successfully clinching a deal on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, and they’ll tell you they’re a lot busier than they used to be. Ask them what hasn’t changed, and they’ll tell you about their passion for making wild food an accessible product and of their commitment to keeping that product in Canada. What’s helping them do that? Well, for starters, moving to St. Albert from Vancouver. “We came out to do the Make It show at the Enjoy Centre in April two years ago, and just driving through St. Albert we were immediately drawn to it. At first, the desire to move was mostly personal, our daughter

has 12 cousins in the Edmonton area, but then when we looked at it from the business side—the boreal forest is just two hours north from here—it made a lot of sense. It’s also very favourable to do business in St. Albert. As soon as we arrived, we realized there’s a demographic here, people with Polish and Ukrainian and French backgrounds, that’s familiar with wild mushrooms (smorizhi). And they require a lot less educating. Everyone talks about the Vancouver food culture, but here everyone recognizes our product. That’s been a big help.” And they’ll take all the help they can get. Chasing wild mushrooms is not easy work, especially when the competition exports 95 percent of its harvest to Europe. “Planning the spring morel harvest is extremely competitive. It’s remote, involves a large crew and we need to make sure they’re getting a competitive price with

other people out there. That’s a toughie. Our competitors export 95 percent of their harvest. We keep all our product in Canada, but we also have to pay the going rate for that stuff, and the euro is worth a heck-of-a-lot more than the Canadian dollar.” That gap in the market is also a big reason Untamed Feast became a full-blown company—the opportunity to give Canadians access to a uniquely Canadian product. According to Eric and Michelle, that’s something the market is ready to embrace. “We can tell you exactly where every one of these mushrooms comes from. You can’t say that about chicken fingers. People are starting to demand to know where their food comes from. And that’s great.” t8n For more information, check out their website at untamedfeast.com.

The business of wild mushrooms

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DIP IT GOOD WHEN A FUN TREND COMES ALONG, YOU MUST DIP IT!

If instant gratification is on your

Christmas list, this is the DIY for you. With a little imagination and an even smaller amount of paint, you’ll soon be transforming neglected objects into swoon-worthy statement pieces. And easy? Well, let’s just say the hardest part might be getting the lids off your paint cans. Here are some favourites from our day of dipping.

Have a cupboard full of vases you couldn’t even give away? Lucky you! Give an old can of paint a stir, and get dipping. In minutes you’ll have a gorgeous collection worthy of a mantel or bedside table. A great DIY for weddings.

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When you’re done painting a room, dip a popsicle stick in your paint can, and make a colour swatch. Write the name on the stick when it’s dry, and pop it on a key ring for safekeeping. The perfect swatch to take shopping.

Old silverware not your style? Give a few pieces a contemporary makeover. We loved ours so much, we mounted them in a shadow box and hung them on the wall.

Okay, we might be fighting over these a little. And they couldn’t have been easier (or less expensive) to make. We simply dipped $2 earrings in some leftover acrylic enamel craft paint. The hardest part was waiting for them to dry.

Transform an ordinary balloon into a glamorous one with a little gold paint. A fun idea for any celebration, but particularly festive for New Year’s Eve. T8N December 2014

FITNESS ALFRESCO Put a breath of fresh air in your workout St. Albert has no shortage of great places to exercise

indoors, but sometimes there’s nothing better than fresh air, vitamin D and some old-fashioned playtime in the snow. So take it outside. Build a snow fort, go snowshoeing or head to your local ice rink for some fitness alfresco. There’s loads of fun to be had in our city. Here are a few tips for finding it.

FIND YOUR FUN

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Cross-country Skiing Trails — Trails for both classic and skate skiing can be found around the edge of Liberton Park in St. Albert. The skate skiing lane can also be used for walking and snowshoeing. The season runs November to the end of March, depending on the snowfall. Outdoor Rinks — The City’s Public Works crews maintain 27 sheets of outdoor ice rinks in St. Albert. You can find a list of their locations on the Getting Active page of the City of St. Albert’s website. Most have hockey boards, and a few even have change facilities. Your Own Backyard — Kids’ activities aren’t just for kids. Build a snowman, go sledding, throw some snowballs—just get out there and have fun. It takes only a few minutes of play to feel invigorated, and the smile lasts all day.

STAY SAFE & WARM • Check the forecast before heading out, and pay special attention to wind-chill warnings. • Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. • Wear gloves or mittens lined with wool or fleece, a warm snug-fitting hat that covers your ears and a pair of thermal socks to protect your feet. • Dress in layers to manage the combination of cold air, body heat and sweat. Start with a thin layer of synthetic material (not cotton) that will draw the sweat away from your skin. Next, add a layer of wool or fleece for insulation. Finish with a breathable and waterproof outer layer. • Let someone know your exercise route and your expected return time. • Stay hydrated.

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. . UP CY CLING (v.) Meet the new word on everyone’s lips There are lots of local venues where you can buy directly from Canadian crafters and designers. Here are a few favourites.

Local Farmers’ Markets — That’s where we found Pat Sundahl and her beautiful cashmere mittens. Most Saturdays she has a table at the market in Old Strathcona, where you’ll likely find her working away at her vintage sewing machine.

Make It Edmonton (The Handmade Revolution) — If you’ve never been, do your best to change that. The event is held twice a year at the Enjoy Centre in St. Albert and showcases table-after-brilliant-table of handmade items from Canada’s best urban artisans, designers and crafters.

The Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair — This bi-annual fair is prac-

f you’re looking for

a new trend to try on, upcycling might be it. And make no mistake, when we say “try on,” we quite literally mean it. Upcycled m ittens a nd sca r ves a re finding their way to farmers’ markets everywhere, and the very best of them, l i ke P at Su nda h l’s , a re made from luxuriously soft cashmere.

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So how exactly does an object earn the moniker upcycled? Well, most simply put, upcycling is the process of transforming something old or discarded into something useful and often beautiful—something with a new purpose and an increased value, both aesthetically and monetarily. For artisans like Pat Sundahl, the transformation doesn’t stop there.

Giving old sweaters a new life is truly her passion. And after years of making hundreds of mittens, a beautiful sweater awaiting the day’s transformation still gives her goosebumps. Chatting with her about it gave us some of our own. t8n

tically a pilgrimage for Edmontonians in the know. Held at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre, it’s a must-visit for anyone who appreciates vendors with an eye towards the unique. Watch for their Prairies-wide edition in early December.

Etsy — If online shopping is more your style, Etsy is a great global marketplace. Its focus is on handmade or vintage items, including art, jewellery, clothing, furniture and toys. A fantastic resource for supporting independent sellers.

Arden